Stand at the eastern end of Calle Colombia and look up: the Cristo de la Concordia opens its arms over the whole valley, and on a clear morning you can see the city unroll below it in every direction. That view is the simplest way to understand Cochabamba — a city of mild, spring-like weather where the Andes are always at the edge of the frame.
Cochabamba suits travellers who want museums, markets and squares in the morning and mountains or a lake in the afternoon, without the altitude strain of La Paz or the heat of Santa Cruz. It rewards slow days: a plaza here, a convent there, a cable car ride at the end of it.
This guide covers the sights and experiences in and around the city that are worth building a trip around, followed by a one-day plan and answers to common questions.
Top things to do in Cochabamba
1. Cristo de la Concordia
The statue on Av de la Concordia stands slightly higher and larger than the one in Rio de Janeiro, and it offers a great view of the city. Walk Calle Colombia to its eastern end and turn right to reach the park and playground where the cable car departs.
The stairs up are safe during the day; after sunset it is better to go in a group of four or more. The cable car is often under maintenance, and there is no good way to know before heading out, though the local newspaper is usually good about updating any changes.
2. Teleférico (Cable Car)
The cable car runs to the top of Cristo de la Concordia peak. It costs Bs. 6.50 each way and is the easiest way up if you would rather not take the stairs.
It operates Tuesday to Wednesday 10:00–18:00, Thursday to Saturday 10:00–19:00 and Sunday 09:00–18:00, and is closed on Monday. The warning displayed at the cable car station not to use the stairs is best treated as a nudge toward buying a ticket rather than a safety notice.
3. Simón I. Patiño Cultural Center (Centro Pedagógico y Cultural Simón I. Patiño)
On Av. Potosí 1450, this complex includes the Palacio Portales mansion, its gardens (Jardines) and an art museum (Centro de Arte Contemporáneo). The mansion was built by Patiño, a tin magnate who controlled over half of the nation's output in the 1930s.
Guided tours run Tuesday to Friday at 15:00, 15:30, 16:30, 17:30 and 18:00 in Spanish, and at 16:00, 17:00 and 18:30 in English and French. On Saturday and Sunday tours run at 10:00, 11:00 and 12:00 in Spanish, and 10:30 and 11:30 in English and French. Entry is Bs. 20 for foreign visitors, Bs. 15 for Bolivian nationals and Bs. 5 for kids. The Natural History Museum "Alcide d'Orbigny" is next door, so the two combine well.
4. Museo Archeologico
At Jordan esq. Aguirre, this archeological museum holds mummies, deformed skulls, pottery and other artifacts, and is well worth a visit. Entry is Bs. 25.
It pairs naturally with the city-centre squares, which are a short walk away.
5. Museo Convento Santa Teresa
About two blocks southwest of Plaza Colon on Calle Baptista, this 1760 convent has been restored for viewing. It is open Monday to Saturday 08:00–12:00 and 14:00–18:00, and closed on Sunday.
Combine it with Plaza Colon next door, which is greener than Plaza de Armas and sits beside city hall.
6. Plaza de Armas, September 14
At Bolivar and Plaza 14 de Septiembre, this is the city centre and the site of the commemoration of Bolivia's independence. You can feed the pigeons and look at the Metropolitan Catedral of Saint Sebastian.
It is the natural starting point for a walk through the centre, with Plaza Colon within easy reach.
7. Plaza Colon
At Calle San Martin and Calle Mayor Rocha, this is Cochabamba's other popular square, next to city hall and a little greener than Plaza de Armas. It makes a calm stop between the centre and the convent.
8. Parque de la Familia
The dancing fountain light show here runs at night, from around 20:00 to 22:00, for a small entrance fee. It is an easy evening outing after dinner in the centre.
9. Martín Cárdenas Botanical Garden
This garden displays native and non-native flora. It is open Monday to Saturday 09:00–16:30 and closed on Sunday, which makes it a good daytime stop rather than an evening one.
10. Medical Museum
At Av. Oquendo y Calle Venezuela, the main hospital in Cochabamba, Hospital Viedma, has a small medical museum attached, with some remarkable old x-ray machines. It sits near the corner of Venezuela and Oquendo.
11. mARTadero
At Ollantay esq. 27 de Agosto, this arts and performance centre is based in an old slaughterhouse. It hosts rotating art exhibits, music performances and other events, so it is worth checking what is on during your stay.
12. Plaza de Las Banderas
If you are interested in seeing different flags of the world on display, this may appeal. It also makes a pleasant stop if you are walking along the prado, and sometimes there are arts and crafts on display.
13. Parque Mariscal Santa Cruz
On Calle Hernan Morales, this small park has amusement rides, concrete caricatures and an aquarium. It is open Tuesday to Friday 10:00–19:00 and Saturday to Monday 10:00–19:30. It may be of particular interest to kids, though it is a bit neglected and dirty at times.
14. Laguna La Angostura
Take any bus or minibus out of the city south to Tolata, Punata, Cliza or Tarata to reach the lake and the junction of Ruta 7. You can rent a paddleboat, a jetski, or be pulled by one, and there is a jetski and boat rental station on the lake.
Alternatively, simply enjoy the lake and the view of the hills around it, or go for a grilled fish in one of the villages around the lake, such as Achamoco. There are nice views of the sunset along Ruta 7.
15. Tunari National Park
The mountain reaches 5,035 m and can be done without a guide, but you need to take care and be aware of water, sun and altitude. It is a four-hour climb one-way, so you need to start early.
First go to Quillacollo, where you transfer by taxi or other transport towards the mountain and its trailhead. It is best to ask your hostel or hotel which are the exact buses and destinations, and they may also recommend a local guide if you want one.
If you only have one day
Morning. Start at Plaza de Armas, September 14, where you can feed the pigeons and look at the Metropolitan Catedral of Saint Sebastian. Walk to Plaza Colon, then continue to the Museo Convento Santa Teresa on Calle Baptista, which opens at 08:00 and closes for lunch at 12:00.
Afternoon. Head to Av. Potosí 1450 for a guided tour of the Simón I. Patiño Cultural Center, including the Palacio Portales mansion, the gardens and the art museum. If time allows, the Museo Archeologico on Jordan esq. Aguirre is worth an hour before it closes.
Evening. Walk Calle Colombia to its eastern end and take the Teleférico (Cable Car) up to the Cristo de la Concordia for the view over the city, checking first that it is not under maintenance and not closed for the day. Finish with the dancing fountain light show at Parque de la Familia, which runs from around 20:00 to 22:00.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time of day to visit the Cristo de la Concordia?
The stairs are safe during the day, and the view over the city is the reason to go. After sunset it is better to go in a group of four or more. Note that the cable car is often under maintenance, so check the local newspaper before heading out.
Do I need a guide to climb Tunari National Park?
No. The mountain can be done without a guide, but you need to take care and be aware of water, sun and altitude. It is a four-hour climb one-way, so start early, travel first to Quillacollo and transfer by taxi or other transport towards the trailhead, and ask your accommodation about the exact buses and destinations.
How do I get to Laguna La Angostura?
Take any bus or minibus out of the city south to Tolata, Punata, Cliza or Tarata to the lake and to the junction of Ruta 7. Once there you can rent a paddleboat or a jetski, or eat grilled fish in one of the villages around the lake, such as Achamoco.
Which museums are closed on Sunday?
The Martín Cárdenas Botanical Garden is closed on Sunday, as is the Museo Convento Santa Teresa. The Natural History Museum "Alcide d'Orbigny" is closed Saturday and Sunday. The Simón I. Patiño Cultural Center, by contrast, runs guided tours on Saturday and Sunday.
Pick the days that fit your trip, check the cable car and tour times before you set out, and Cochabamba will fill them easily.